The Swiss Pavilion
at the Venice Biennale

Switzerland has been participating in the International Art Exhibition since 1920 and the International Architecture Exhibition since 1991. The country maintains its own pavilion in Venice’s “Giardini della Biennale”. Constructed in 1951/52 and designed by architect Bruno Giacometti, this modernist building is located next to the main entrance.

Pro Helvetia has been responsible for the contributions in the Swiss Pavilion since 2012 and appoints two independent juries for its selection process. Nominations for the Art and Architecture Biennales are made in line with the recommendations of these expert bodies.

Contributions in the Swiss Pavilion can be accompanied by an official supporting event in the Palazzo Trevisan degli Ulivi.


Timeline

2024

Guerreiro do Divino Amor
“Super Superior Civilizations”

Curator: Andrea Bellini

60th International Art Exhibition

Guerreiro do Divino Amor – Swiss Pavilion at the Biennale di Venezia 2024 © Pro Helvetia & Cultureshock

2023

Karin Sander and Philip Ursprung
“Neighbours”

18th International Architecture Exhibition

«Neighbours» by Karin Sander and Philip Ursprung – Swiss Pavilion at the Biennale di Venezia 2023 © Pro Helvetia & Cultureshock

2022

Latifa Echakhch
“The Concert”

In collaboration with curators Francesco Stocchi, Alexandre Babel and Anne Weckström.

59th International Art Exhibition

Latifa Echakhch «The Concert» – Swiss Pavilion at the Biennale di Venezia 2022 © Pro Helvetia & Cultureshock

2021

Mounir Ayoub, Vanessa Lacaille (Laboratoire d’architecture), with Fabrice Aragno and Pierre Szczepski
“oræ – Experiences on the Border”

Awarded the Golden Lion for the best national contribution

Salon Suisse curator: Evelyn Steiner

17th International Architecture Exhibition

«oræ – Experiences on the Border» – Swiss Pavilion at the Biennale di Venezia 2021 © Pro Helvetia & Cultureshock

2019

Pauline Boudry / Renate Lorenz
“Moving Backwards”

Curator: Charlotte Laubard
Salon Suisse curator: Céline Eidenbenz

58th International Art Exhibition

«Moving Backwards», Pauline Boudry / Renate Lorenz – Swiss Pavilion at the Biennale di Venezia 2019 © Pro Helvetia & Cultureshock

2018

Alessandro Bosshard, Li Tavor, Matthew van der Ploeg und Ani Vihervaara
“Svizzera 240: House Tour”

Awarded the Golden Lion for the best national contribution

Salon Suisse curators: Marcel Bächtiger, Tim Kammasch and Stanislas Zimmermann

16th International Architecture Exhibition

«Svizzera 240: House Tour» – Swiss Pavilion at the Biennale di Venezia 2018 © Pro Helvetia & Cultureshock

2017

Teresa Hubbard / Alexander Birchler und Carol Bove
“Women of Venice”

Curator: Philippe Kaiser
Salon Suisse curator: Koyo Kouoh

57th International Art Exhibition

«Women of venice» – Swiss pavilion at the Biennale di Venezia 2017 © Pro Helvetia & Cultureshock

2016

Christian Kerez
“Incidental Space”

Curator: Sandra Oehy
Salon Suisse curator: Leila el-Wakil

15th International Architecture Exhibition

Incidental Space – The Swiss Pavilion at the 2016 Venice Biennale of Architecture © ArchDaily

2015

Paloma Rosenkranz
“Our product”

Curator: Susanne Pfeiffer
Salon Suisse curators: Juri Steiner und Stefan Zweifel

56th International Art Exhibition

Pamela Rosenkranz | OUR PRODUCT | Biennale di Venezia | 2015 © Welt so stille

2014

Hans Ulrich Obrist
“A stroll through a fun palace”

Salon Suisse curators: Hiromi Hosoya und Markus Schaefer

14th International Architecture Exhibition

A stroll through a fun palace – Swiss pavilion exhibition 2014 © Ivo Pisanti

2013

Valentin Carron
“Criticism and Dissent”

Curator: Giovanni Carmine
Salon Suisse Curator: Jörg Scheller

55th International Art Exhibition

En coulisses avec Valentin Carron à la Biennale d’art de Venise © Canal9

2012

Miller & Maranta und Knapkiewicz + Fickert
“And now the Ensemble!”

Curator: Miroslav Šik
Salon Suisse Curator: Robert Guy Wilson

13th International Architecture Exhibition

Miroslav Sik – Schweizer Pavillon // Venice Biennale 2012 // © BauNetz

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